In partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), Honda has awarded scholarships to five students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the 2019-20 academic year. The awards are part of an annual scholarship fund Honda established to support students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.

“These students are among the best and brightest in their fields of study and Honda is so honored to support them as they pursue their dreams,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of the Office of Inclusion and Diversity and Human Resources at Honda North America, Inc. “We are delighted to partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund in supporting these deserving students, and we hope they will consider coming to work for Honda someday.”

Honda established the scholarship fund to mark a major milestone in America – the production of its 25 millionth automobile in the United States in 2018.  Honda began auto production in Ohio in 1982, the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in the United States.

“Finances should never be a speed bump to opportunity. At TMCF we are proud to partner with companies like Honda, who are deeply committed to investing in the lives of our talented HBCU students through critically important scholarships,” said Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

The students receiving TMCF awards through Honda’s support are:

• Abdulganiyu Ajilore, a first-generation college student and senior at Morgan State University, majoring in electrical engineering.
• Lakayla Baldwin, a sophomore at North Carolina A&T State University, majoring in chemical engineering.
• Uchenna Emerson, a senior at Morgan State University, majoring in electrical engineering.
• Precious Isidahomen, a first-generation college student and sophomore at Morgan State University, double majoring in electrical and computer engineering.
• Angela Smith, a junior at Texas Southern University, majoring in finance.

In order to qualify for the scholarships, students must be enrolled as a full-time student at one of the 47 TMCF member-schools; earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; demonstrate leadership qualities and community service experience; and be recommended by a faculty or staff member of their current school.

“I am grateful to be where I am, offered a scholarship like this, and want to help similar students as much as possible,” said Isidahomen.

In addition to the financial support, scholarship recipients will be invited to interview for internships and co-op positions at one of 12 U.S. facilities where Honda manufactures vehicles, engines, transmission, as well as aircraft, aircraft engines, power equipment and side-by-side and all-terrain vehicles.  

Honda has a long tradition of supporting higher education, including its 30-year commitment to HBCUs. In 1987, Honda established the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, an academic competition for the best and brightest students from HBCUs. Since 2003, Honda has sponsored the annual Honda Battle of the Bands, a musical showcase and scholarship fund for HBCU marching bands. Together, these programs have provided over $13 million in grants to HBCUs and touched the lives of more than 200,000 students over the past three decades.